editor’s letter
Comfort Food New and improved. The next big thing. It seems like everyone is after the bright, shiny new kid on the block—be it a mobile phone, a car or a sneaker. The same goes for restaurants. And while I love to walk into venues with a fresh design and cutting-edge menu, sometimes what I really crave is familiarity. The joy of a recognizable face. A tried-and-true meal. The satisfaction of supporting a South Bay survivor. It’s not easy being a decades-old, mom-and-pop restaurant in this area. Leases rise. Neighborhoods change. Customers change. Just this year we lost a few old favorites, most recently The Admiral Risty in Palos Verdes (see our Last Word). Yet some establishments keep the fire burning. Many have been around 30, 40, 50 years. Places like Old Tony’s and Phanny’s in Redondo, The Original Red Onion in Palos Verdes and Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Manhattan. They’ve seen new owners, new generations and new neighbors, but they keep on serving. And thank goodness. In our Food Issue we take a closer look at a handful of vintage favorites: The Kettle, The Bottle Inn and Eat at Joe’s (celebrating 50 years!). We keep the nostalgic vibes going with a visit to the Fun Factory on the Redondo Pier (another favorite rumored to close its doors). We’ve also tossed in some new places and faces, plus some delicious summertime recipes to spice up your backyard gatherings. Also be sure to check out our Golden State feature on the grassroots movement to save our state’s farming soil. Each issue we’ll bring you content that reaches beyond the South Bay and explores the people, places and topics of California’s rich and diverse landscape. Read more at goldenstate.is.
DARREN ELMS
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SOUTHBAY | AUGUST 2019